Evangelization campaign to launch in 12 European cities
Church leaders from 12 major European dioceses who hope to re-evangelize their cities during Lent 2012 met this week in Rome to finalize plans for a new initiative called ‘Metropolitan Missions,’ reports Catholic News Agency. ‘The climate of unity among the cities that share same project was very strong,’ Auxiliary Bishop Jean Kockerols of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium told CNA at the conclusion of the Jan. 9 meeting. ‘It was very interesting to hear from the other 11 cities who are working on the same priority,’ he added.
Also represented were the Metropolitan Archdioceses of Barcelona, Budapest, Cologne, Dublin, Lisbon, Liverpool, Paris, Turin, Warsaw and Vienna. The meeting was hosted by the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, which is headed by Archbishop Rino Fisichella. This year’s ‘metropolitan missions’ are the first of their kind. If deemed successful, they could be introduced elsewhere around the world, including the United States, in the coming years.
Pray: for the Metropolitan Missions and that through the power of the Holy Spirit they will bring revival to their cities. (Mk.13:10)
Evangelization campaign to launch in 12 European cities
Church leaders from 12 major European dioceses who hope to re-evangelize their cities during Lent 2012 met this week in Rome to finalize plans for a new initiative called ‘Metropolitan Missions,’ reports Catholic News Agency. ‘The climate of unity among the cities that share same project was very strong,’ Auxiliary Bishop Jean Kockerols of Mechelen-Brussels, Belgium told CNA at the conclusion of the Jan. 9 meeting. ‘It was very interesting to hear from the other 11 cities who are working on the same priority,’ he added.
Also represented were the Metropolitan Archdioceses of Barcelona, Budapest, Cologne, Dublin, Lisbon, Liverpool, Paris, Turin, Warsaw and Vienna. The meeting was hosted by the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization, which is headed by Archbishop Rino Fisichella. This year’s ‘metropolitan missions’ are the first of their kind. If deemed successful, they could be introduced elsewhere around the world, including the United States, in the coming years.
Pray: for the Metropolitan Missions and that through the power of the Holy Spirit they will bring revival to their cities. (Mk.13:10)
New service for pastors in debt
Two Christian charities have launched a new service to help pastors and senior church leaders struggling with debt. While it is hard enough for the average Joe to ask for help in personal finance matters, Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and Stewardship said it could be near impossible for the leaders of churches who are expected to set an example to their flock. It said many church leaders ended up suffering in silence because of personal finance problems. Now CAP and Stewardship have joined forces to launch a specialised service aimed at church leaders. The service is free, non-judgemental and completely confidential telephone service for senior church leaders to find a way forward. CAP's Chief Executive Matt Barlow explained: ‘We know there is a problem, they are often paid very little or their pay can fluctuate. Often there are unfair expectations placed upon our church leaders and admitting any vulnerability can be so hard.
Pray: for this initiative and for better support for all church leaders. (Heb.13:16-17)
More: http://www.christiantoday.co.uk/article/new.service.for.pastors.in.debt/29202.htm
Miliband urged to do more on tackling tax haven secrecy
UK-based international development agency Christian Aid has welcomed Labour leader Ed Miliband’s determination to tackle the tax havens which are harming UK public finances but it urges him to go further, because financial secrecy is a curse for poor countries too. The intervention comes as the opposition leader and the Conservative Prime Minister exchange words about 'responsible capitalism' which critics say have rested on amelioration rather than a tackling of fundamental problems and injustices. ‘It’s great that Mr Miliband has recognised that tax haven secrecy is damaging people in the UK, by providing a cover for people and companies to hide their wealth and avoid paying the taxes that are so urgently needed,’ commented Dr David McNair, Christian Aid’s Principal Adviser on Economic Justice, earlier this week. But, he added, ‘We now hope the Labour leader will also recognise that financial secrecy has devastating effects on public services and people’s lives across the world, especially in poor countries.’
Pray: for message from Christian Aid to heard and acted upon by all parties in Parliament. (Lk.16:11)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/16120
Focus on care, not assisted suicide, say MPs
‘Rather than legislating for an abrupt end to life, we need to find better ways to help care for the dying’, an MP has said as he led a debate on palliative care in Parliament. David Burrowes MP was joined in the debate last week by around 20 MPs. He quoted Dame Cicely Saunders, the founder of the modern hospice movement, who said: ‘You matter because you are you, and you matter to the last moment of your life. We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.’ The MP’s comments come in the wake of a controversial report from Lord Falconer which advocated assisted suicide in England and Wales. Glenda Jackson MP said it was ‘paramount that our society turn its face away from what could become legalised murder, and argue and press the case for increased funding, increased support for palliative care and, most markedly, support for hospices’.
Pray: for a Government backed support for quality palliative care so often left to the work of charities to maintain. (Ps116:15)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/video-focus-on-care-not-assisted-suicide-say-mps/
Midwives take hospital to court in abortion row
Two midwives went to court Tuesday (17 Jan) to challenge a policy introduced by Southern General Hospital in Glasgow which requires midwives to help with abortions, regardless of their religious convictions. The right of midwives to refuse to participate in abortions on the basis of their religious beliefs is explicitly protected by the 1967 Abortion Act, and has
historically been respected by the hospital. However, the hospital recently changed its stance by imposing an obligation on midwives to watch over, and sometimes assist, with late abortions, which were frequently being transferred from the gynaecology department to the labour ward. The two midwives, Mary Doogan and Teresa Wood, both Catholics, were unable to persuade the hospital to uphold their right to refuse to participate in abortions during the statutory grievance procedure.
Pray: for Mary and Teresa as they face this challenge to their faith and their rights. (Is.7:9b)
Welfare benefits cap will break up families
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Simon Hughes has warned that the governments proposed welfare benefits cap will ‘break up families’ and ‘damage the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of children.’ Mr Hughes, who is not a minister and therefore not part of the coalition government, made his comments to the BBC ahead of more crucial votes in the House of Lords this week, as the Welfare Reform Bill (WRB) goes through its report stage before returning to the Commons. Mr Hughes told the BBC that he did not believe the Welfare Reform Bill would be passed as it stands. The government has headed off a House of Lords defeat over plans to replace the Disability Living Allowance. Conservatives leaned heavily on Liberal Democrat support in the Lords, avoiding another humiliating Welfare Reform Bill report stage defeat by only 16 votes.
Pray: for Government policy that as it tackles fiscal problems still protects the most vulnerable in society. (Ps.41:4)
Backbench rebellion over plans to change marriage law
Conservative MP’s are planning what could be the biggest ever backbench rebellion faced by Prime Minister David Cameron over his stated intention to legislate for full homosexual marriage. At least 100 Conservative backbenchers are thought to strongly oppose homosexual marriage. ‘Feelings are running high,’ one senior party source told the Independent. Lynne Featherstone, the equalities minister, has announced plans for a ‘consultation’ to be launched in March which is to be followed by a change in the law. David Burrowes MP told the paper that he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ the proposal will be defeated in the Commons because it would ‘fracture’ the institution of marriage. ‘Many colleagues are worried that it would fundamentally affect how marriage between a man and woman has historically been viewed in this country. There are strong doubts that we need to go down this path. It would open up a can of worms and a legal minefield about freedom, religion and equalities legislation.’
Pray: for our government as it considers these changes. Pray that those who already support the recognised form of marriage would stand firm on their beliefs. (1Cor.16:13)
Islamist stops university debate with threats of violence
A talk on sharia and human rights at Queen Mary University, London was cancelled because an Islamist made serious threats against everyone there. Ms Waters was due to give a talk on behalf of the One Law for All Campaign on 16 January but before it started a man entered the lecture theatre, stood at the front with a camera and filmed the audience. He then said he knew who everyone was, where they lived and if he heard anything negative about the Prophet, he would track them down. He also filmed students in the foyer threatening to murder them and their families then joined a large group of men supporters outside. Students were told by security to stay in the lecture theatre for their own safety. The police were contacted about the incident.
Pray: against a religious/political ideology that puts a Christian British way of life in danger. (Ps.33:18)
Putting God at heart of communities
Church charity shop is a listening ear and a place for a bargain. ‘The Church Shop’ is the brainchild of the Rev Alison Phillipson, vicar of Coatham and Dormanstown, and has been set up with the help of lay members of her church. ‘In a world where people don’t stop and listen, we here will listen,’ she said. Alison is one of the individuals living out the Gospel in the north-east of England whose stories will be told on the Archbishop of York’s website in the coming weeks. Other stories to be highlighted include a former drug addict and school bad boy who now contributes to the spiritual and moral development of school students. See: http://www.archbishopofyork.org/ Dr John Sentamu said: ‘How wonderful it is to hear these encouraging stories. Across the country, so many people are proclaiming the Good News and putting God at the heart of their communities’.
Pray: that the Holy Spirit will give vision to believers in creating ways to spread the Good News. (Ps.127:1)